On the occasion of my 59th...

[flyday58]

I'd like to say howdy. Plopped down some dough yesterday on a '16 RT Limited Picking up mid week if I don't chicken out. Traditional story: 2-wheeler since the ealy 70s, mostly enduros but also a Yamaha Venture that I brought back from the dead. Since moving from the flatlands of coastal Ole Miss to the mountains of southern NM the old XVZ has been mostly sitting. It's 5 miles up a rocky canyon road to home and the old girl really takes a beating just getting to blacktop. Plus I've dumped her after hitting a gopher hole and it's getting alot harder to pick her up solo. So she's on the auction block.

Already picked up a ton of good intel here - tires, sway braces, vibes, lights etc. so hoping to be around for a good while. I'll definitely miss the Venture, she goes like a banshee but not like a VMax, love the purr and acceleration, but it's just too hard getting to open road from here. I'm hoping the RT will be okay off-road; it's not a hard-core Jeep/ HUMMER rock-climbing road, just gravelly, alternately dusty or muddy, rutty and pot-holey. Should be able to go slow, admire the views and mitigate the bumps. Shoulda brought my gun (should be fun).

So that's good for a start. Welcome to me.:clap:
Richard

[Copperman]

Just be careful on gravel roads. Go slow enough not to pick up loose stones and throw them into your drive belt. Other than that, have fun.

And welcome to Spyderlovers. You'll love it here and on your Spyder.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

:congrats: & :welcome: ............ check the " Do's and Do not's " thread ............... Mike :thumbup:

[ronrico]

If you take the dirt road slow you will be fine. I just moved to Carrizozo and some of the streets here are gravel plus my driveway is approx 600 foot of gravel. You will enjoy the RT. I have a 2014 RTL. If you have questions please contact me.

[Chupaca]

Welcome to the spyder world and this site. Congrats on the new ryde...:2thumbs: you will really enjoy it and as mentioned the rocky road needs some attention.. but once you hit that blacktop :riding::riding:

[cognaccruiser]

Welcome Richard,

As has been said, just watch out for rocks getting into the sprocket/belt. It might be worth while getting the after market belt guard to help prevent that.
The Spyder will definitely make your life easier getting up and down your canyon road.

I've actually been following your thread on Ventureriders. As you know there are a few folks on here from the Venture world. I have not been active there for several years but I still check in to see what is going on. Really sad to hear about Black Owl. Met him at PIP years ago.

I think you will love the Spyder. It is a little different to operate but they really grow on you. This forum is a massive wealth of knowledge with many people that are always happy to help out.

Gary

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:, and 1330club :2thumbs:
Gravel and dirt roads require just a little bit of caution; It's possible to pick up a stone, and ruin your belt and pulleys... :shocked: Just take it easy, and you'll have no trouble at all. nojoke
Spyderpops sells a belt guard that should help reduce the chances of any problems! :thumbup:

[PrairieSpyder]

:welcome: & :congrats: on your new Spyder.

The Spyder is by no means an off-road vehicle, but as others have said, you should be OK if you go slow. At least you won't fall over with it.
:nopic: when you get it?

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: and :congrats: on your new :spyder:.

BlueKnight has you covered about reading the "Do's and Don'ts."

Bob has you covered on a SpyderPops belt guard.

Rocks and gravel are not the friend of the :ani29:. Take it easy and you should be fine.

[DGoebel]

Welcome! I made the switch last year on the occasion of my 59th (well, a little earlier, but it was the best present of my year),
I'll second all above and mention another possible consideration for the dirt/gravel that you have to travel, Roadster Renovations (Doc Humphreys) has a protective Air Ryde Rock Armour guard for the airbags that keeps rocks from getting into the bottom cup of the stock rear shock bag and cutting the bag. His website is found on the SL home page.

[flyday58]

WOW, thanks everybody for the replies. I cruised the do's/don't's section before I got serious about this. I'll be taking it slow in the canyon for sure anyway, but I'm gonna get one of them belt guards and maybe the Air Ryde Rock Armour Guard for protection.

Prairie Spyder, I'm due to pick it up mid-week in Las Cruces. The Pearl Red Limited was at a sister dealership so they gotta go fetch it and prep it. Plus I'm trading a Polaris 4-wheeler I didn't really want in the first place but thought I needed it to push snow. We're in southern NM and it just doesn't make sense to have it for the occasional dust-up we get here. No trailer so they're coming to get it Tuesday.

Cognaccruiser, I was surprised at all the replies over on the Venture site! I love those guys and gals, will definitely keep up the membership and check in on the goings-on over there. I've been in the garage all day prepping the Venture for eventual buyers. Would you believe it, I just today got the rear brakes bled properly for the first time ever??:bowdown: Only took 5 years but them babies are super-firm now. Go figure!:dontknow:

A couple of us out here in the canyon have been pushing the county to take better care of the road, this'll give me added impetus to keep bugging the crap out of them. I'm also looking at trying to get motorist aid call boxes out here, no cell service and plenty of vehicle incidents, but that's a little...what, no 'Off Topic' icon?? Dang, foruminator!!

So lots of good poop on this site, glad to be here. Was gonna make a tire comment but that's just mean.:bdh:
Think I'll get the removeable driver's backrest when I pick it up but that should be about it. I'll drop a pic when it's in hand. Thanks again to all!
Richard

[youngers]

http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages%2f_2577000%2fff_2577361b_full.jpg&w=600

[youngers]

did not need more explanation !!! :roflblack: go dawgs !

[youngers]

I hope you can find a great road like the natchez trace parkway too ride ! I am thinking of heading back just too ride the trail

[youngers]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000DCZB.jpg

[kbruehl]

I'd like to say howdy. Plopped down some dough yesterday on a '16 RT Limited Picking up mid week if I don't chicken out. Traditional story: 2-wheeler since the ealy 70s, mostly enduros but also a Yamaha Venture that I brought back from the dead. Since moving from the flatlands of coastal Ole Miss to the mountains of southern NM the old XVZ has been mostly sitting. It's 5 miles up a rocky canyon road to home and the old girl really takes a beating just getting to blacktop. Plus I've dumped her after hitting a gopher hole and it's getting alot harder to pick her up solo. So she's on the auction block.

Already picked up a ton of good intel here - tires, sway braces, vibes, lights etc. so hoping to be around for a good while. I'll definitely miss the Venture, she goes like a banshee but not like a VMax, love the purr and acceleration, but it's just too hard getting to open road from here. I'm hoping the RT will be okay off-road; it's not a hard-core Jeep/ HUMMER rock-climbing road, just gravelly, alternately dusty or muddy, rutty and pot-holey. Should be able to go slow, admire the views and mitigate the bumps. Shoulda brought my gun (should be fun).

So that's good for a start. Welcome to me.:clap:
Richard

Congratulations on the purchase of a new bike. I bought my 2012 last year and I love it. Used to ride Goldwings until I got a bum knee so feel a lot safer on this. You have to be very careful on that rough road with the potholes because there is very little ground clearance. I installed a Bump/skid today and found that the standard one was all chewed up. Enjoy your new ride!

[flyday58]

Youngers, we got tons of mountain roads out here, lots of switchbacks with great views, even got Route 66 a few hours away if I feel the need. I'm looking forward to the ride from the dealer through the Organ Mountains and across White Sands. Wonder if there's a break-in procedure...
Dawgs? What's a dawg?? I'm totally lost here:coffee:

Kbruehl, I'll look into the bump/skid, you got a web site for it? Thanks for the help.

[LateLifeCrisis]

WOW, thanks everybody for the replies. I cruised the do's/don't's section before I got serious about this. I'll be taking it slow in the canyon for sure anyway, but I'm gonna get one of them belt guards and maybe the Air Ryde Rock Armour Guard for protection.

Prairie Spyder, I'm due to pick it up mid-week in Las Cruces. The Pearl Red Limited was at a sister dealership so they gotta go fetch it and prep it. Plus I'm trading a Polaris 4-wheeler I didn't really want in the first place but thought I needed it to push snow. We're in southern NM and it just doesn't make sense to have it for the occasional dust-up we get here. No trailer so they're coming to get it Tuesday.

Cognaccruiser, I was surprised at all the replies over on the Venture site! I love those guys and gals, will definitely keep up the membership and check in on the goings-on over there. I've been in the garage all day prepping the Venture for eventual buyers. Would you believe it, I just today got the rear brakes bled properly for the first time ever??:bowdown: Only took 5 years but them babies are super-firm now. Go figure!:dontknow:

A couple of us out here in the canyon have been pushing the county to take better care of the road, this'll give me added impetus to keep bugging the crap out of them. I'm also looking at trying to get motorist aid call boxes out here, no cell service and plenty of vehicle incidents, but that's a little...what, no 'Off Topic' icon?? Dang, foruminator!!

So lots of good poop on this site, glad to be here. Was gonna make a tire comment but that's just mean.:bdh:
Think I'll get the removeable driver's backrest when I pick it up but that should be about it. I'll drop a pic when it's in hand. Thanks again to all!
Richard


DEFINATELY get the backrest.....you'll thank me later! :ohyea:

And welcome to The Wonderful World of Spyders! :yes:

[Ranman42]

:congrats: on your:spyder2: You will love the ryde.

Enjoy!

[SL Ken]

Kbruehl, I'll look into the bump/skid, you got a web site for it? Thanks for the help.

Also Spyderpops. They have lighted and unlit.

[pegasus1300]

Welcome over from VR.:yes::yes: I stopped riding Ventures in 2011 but have continued to stay active over there. I joined them back in the beginning along with The Venturers. I still have my 87 VR but haven't ridden it in years. This site is very similar to VentureRiders.org with lots of very friendly and very knowledgeable riders. Post early, post often, and post pictures.



I'd like to say howdy. Plopped down some dough yesterday on a '16 RT Limited Picking up mid week if I don't chicken out. Traditional story: 2-wheeler since the ealy 70s, mostly enduros but also a Yamaha Venture that I brought back from the dead. Since moving from the flatlands of coastal Ole Miss to the mountains of southern NM the old XVZ has been mostly sitting. It's 5 miles up a rocky canyon road to home and the old girl really takes a beating just getting to blacktop. Plus I've dumped her after hitting a gopher hole and it's getting alot harder to pick her up solo. So she's on the auction block.

Already picked up a ton of good intel here - tires, sway braces, vibes, lights etc. so hoping to be around for a good while. I'll definitely miss the Venture, she goes like a banshee but not like a VMax, love the purr and acceleration, but it's just too hard getting to open road from here. I'm hoping the RT will be okay off-road; it's not a hard-core Jeep/ HUMMER rock-climbing road, just gravelly, alternately dusty or muddy, rutty and pot-holey. Should be able to go slow, admire the views and mitigate the bumps. Shoulda brought my gun (should be fun).

So that's good for a start. Welcome to me.:clap:
Richard

[SteveLaoyster]

:welcome: & What they said. :yes::yes::yes:

[flyday58]

145874
Farkel Faerie came. If I only had something to put it all on...:ani29:

[Bob Denman]

:D This is how it always starts... :congrats: :clap:

[Ron2andia]

:congrats::welcome:

[flyday58]

So an aerodynamics question. Sorta. On my 83 Venture there was more or less dead air behind the fairing and windshield, making for a pleasant ride at most temps except extremes. But even when it's around 40º out the ride is fairly cozy due to the lack of much wind while moving.

So what to except when I pick up the RT? It's a 2+ hour ride from the dealership across White Sands then a 5000' climb to home at 9000' above stress level, as we say here. Should be in the low 80s in the desert, dropping to the low 60s in the mountains, all with low humidity. Is the RT drafty, windy, calmish? Any heat problems with the newer models? Just wondering what to wear, shorts and a tee, or my Arctic survival suit? Hmm...:helpsmilie:

[Saluda]

Congrats and all safe miles !